Antenna Arrangement for Hinged Wireless Communication Device

Abstract

An improved wireless communication device, such as a clamshell-type cellular telephone, and related method of operation are disclosed. In at least some embodiments, the wireless communication device includes a first structure and a second structure that is hingedly coupled to the first structure, where at least a part of at least one of the first and second structures is capable of operating as an antenna. The device further includes an electrical circuit at least partially governing operation of the antenna, where the electrical circuit is supported at least indirectly by at least one of the first and second structures. At least one electrical characteristic of the electrical circuit varies depending upon a relative positioning of the first structure with respect to the second structure.

1 . A wireless communication device comprising:
 a first structure;   a second structure that is hingedly coupled to the first structure, wherein at least a part of at least one of the first and second structures is capable of operating as an antenna, and   an electrical circuit at least partially governing operation of the antenna, wherein the electrical circuit is supported at least indirectly by at least one of the first and second structures,   wherein at least one electrical characteristic of the electrical circuit varies depending upon a relative positioning of the first structure with respect to the second structure.   
   
   
       2 . The wireless communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second structures are first and second outer housing portions. 
   
   
       3 . The wireless communication device of  claim 2 , wherein the device is one of a cellular telephone and a personal computer. 
   
   
       4 . The wireless communication device of  claim 3 , wherein the device is a cellular telephone, and the first and second outer housing portions are capable of opening with respect to one another in a clamshell-like manner. 
   
   
       5 . The wireless communication device of  2 , wherein the first structure is metallic and serves as the antenna, and further comprising an additional antenna coupled to one of the first and second structures 
   
   
       6 . The wireless communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit includes matching circuitry that serves to at least partly match the antenna. 
   
   
       7 . The wireless communication device of  claim 6 , wherein the matching circuitry provides a first matching impedance when the first and second structures are in an opened position relative to one another, and provides a second matching impedance when the first and second structures are in a closed position relative to one another. 
   
   
       8 . The wireless communication device of  claim 7 , wherein when in the opened position the first structure is oriented within a first angular range of 160 degrees to 175 degrees relative to the second structure, and when in the closed position the first structure is oriented within a second angular range of 0 degrees to 15 degrees relative to the second structure. 
   
   
       9 . The wireless communication device of  claim 6 , wherein the matching circuitry includes first and second matching circuits, and wherein the electrical circuit includes first and second contacts that are respectively coupled in series with the first and second matching circuits, respectively, between a transceiver and the antenna. 
   
   
       10 . The wireless communication device of  claim 9 , wherein the first contact is closed and the second contact is open when the relative positioning of the first and second structures is an open positioning, and wherein the first contact is open and the second contact is closed when the relative positioning of the first and second structures is a closed positioning. 
   
   
       11 . The wireless communication device of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical circuit includes a capacitance that varies depending upon the relative positioning. 
   
   
       12 . The wireless communication device of  claim 11 , wherein the capacitance is formed between a first portion of the first structure and a second portion of the second structure. 
   
   
       13 . The wireless communication device of  claim 12 , wherein variation of the capacitance is due to at least one of a first change in a spacing between the first and second portions of the first and second structures, respectively, and a second change in first and second areas of the first and second portions, respectively, that overlap. 
   
   
       14 . The wireless communication device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second structures includes a mechanical stop that limits an extent to which the first structure can be opened relative to the second structure. 
   
   
       15 . The wireless communication device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the following is true:
 (a) the first and second structures are connected by a hinge structure through which at least one wire connection passes, the wire connection allowing for communication of a signal between the first and second structures; and   (b) a grounding connection is provided between the first and second structures by way of at least one of an inductive coupling structure and a capacitive coupling structure.   
   
   
       16 . A cellular telephone comprising:
 a top housing portion;   a bottom housing portion, wherein at least one of the top and bottom housing portions operates as an antenna;   an electrical circuit coupled to the antenna; and   means for rotatably coupling the top and bottom housing portions,   wherein an electrical characteristic of the electrical circuit varies based upon a change in a relative positioning of the top and bottom housing portions.   
   
   
       17 . The cellular telephone of  claim 16 , wherein the electrical circuit includes at least one contact that opens or closes based upon the relative positioning, and wherein the relative positioning causes an electrical circuit portion of the electrical circuit to be switched into or out of communication with the antenna due to opening or closing of the at least one contact. 
   
   
       18 . The cellular telephone of  claim 16 , wherein first and second capacitor plate sections are formed on the top and bottom housing portions, and wherein the change in the relative positioning of the top and bottom housing portions causes an additional change in an additional relative positioning of the first and second capacitor plate sections, thus resulting in a variation in a capacitance. 
   
   
       19 . A method of operating a wireless communication device, the method comprising:
 providing first and second structures that are hingedly coupled to one another;   operating the device in a first mode, wherein first communication via a first antenna of the device is governed by an electrical circuit having an electrical characteristic;   varying a first position of the first structure in relation to a second position of the second structure, wherein the varying results in a change in the electrical characteristic of the electrical circuit; and   operating the device in a second mode, wherein second communication via at least one of the first antenna and a second antenna of the device is governed by the electrical circuit having the changed electrical characteristic.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the second communication is via the first antenna, wherein the first antenna is formed on part of at least one of the first and second structures, and wherein the change in the electrical characteristic involves one of a first change in a matching circuit portion of the electrical circuit, a second change in a capacitance of the electrical circuit, and a third change in an inductance of the electrical circuit.